Bow-forming machine



Jan. 18, 1966 J, J. TH Y 3,229,869

BOW-FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. JosEPHus .ITHAYER MWWaMW Jan. 18, 1966 J. J. THAYER BOW-FORMING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 11. 1961 INVENTOR. JosEPHus J. THAYER Jan. 18, 1966 J. J. THAYER BOW-FORMING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 11, 1961 a g Q IHYW =====E n INVENTOR.

JosEPHus J. THAYER Jan. 18, 1966 J. J. THAYER BOW-FORMING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 11. 1961 I- IIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA' INVENTOR. .IosEPHus J. THAYER 4 wi/w am ym Jan'. 18, 1966 J. J. THAYER 3,229,359

BOW-FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. JosEPHus .I. THAYER.

Jan. 18, 1966 J THAYER 3,229,869

BOW-FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 .12 11 v 4 7/ 5 l LE 70 72 7a 5 I f 3 IN V EN TOR.

JosEPHus I THAYER ATTORNEYS tion of the capacity of such machines.

United States Patent C) 3,229,869 BOW-FORMING MACHINE Josephus J. Thayer, West Lafayette, Ind., assignor to Thayer, Inc., Wolcott, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Aug. 11, 1961, Ser. No. 130,909 28 Claims. (Cl. 223-46) This invention relates to mechanical devices for forming decorative bows. More particularly, this invention pertains to new and improved machines for mechanically and efliciently forming decorative multi-loop bows from plural sources of strip material, and constitutes an improvement in mechanical bow-forming machines such as that disclosed in my copending patent application Serial No. 40,439 filed July 1, 1960.

Machines have been designed which make possible mechanized production of decorative bows of distinguished, individualistic and sophisticated appearance, and some of these machines are capable of substantial volume production. One such bow-forming machine embodies spindles which are moved from one position to another for performance of the various steps in shaping and securing the loops of .a bow and discharging the finished bow. The most time consuming of these steps is the formation of the loops, as these bows often include as many as 12-18 individual loops. The securing and removal steps take very little time, compared to the forming operations, and the mechanism for securing and discharging the bows thus stands idle during a large proportion of the operation time of the machine. The time consumed in forming the loops is thus a primary limita- Consequently it is desirable to provide an automatic machine which effectively shortens the average operating time required to form the loops of a bow and thereby to increase the efficiency and output of each machine.

Further, market demand and competition require the production of bows of a variety of designs, including different colors, sizes, configurations, and the like. It has been found, for instance, that variations of a given how design may include producing the bow with ribbons of harmonizing or contrasting colors, producing parts of the bow with ribbons of different textures or types, i.e. glossy, textured, metallic, transparent, multi-color, design-imprinted, Salutation or message hearing, or by providing various parts of the bow of difierent sizes or varying shapes, see, e.g., Wanchek US. Patent No. 2,841,905. A machine for producing bows should thus desirably provide flexibility in the bow-forming operation and thereby facilitate the production of bows of varying designs. This flexibility should be obtainable with a minimum of machine reconstruction or adjustment, and preferably with no adjustment or rearrangement.

It is known, in machines for forming bows, such as those alluded to above, to provide a rotatable support or spindle which is intermittently rotated as successive lengths of ribbon are supplied to form the loops of a bow. These spindles have previously been driven through a one-way clutch arrangement to obtain the required rotary motion. Such drives have been found undesirable in high speed operation because of the problem of overrun due to the momentum of the spindle and related parts. A brake may be applied to prevent overrun, but such brakes often require adjustment for changing operating conditions and do not necessarily eliminate the problem. Further, previously known drive systems have been somewhat large and cumbersome, and thus not well adapted to fitting within a desirable size machine, particularly where i a plurality of loop forming stations are provided on a single machine. A preferred drive arrangement should be compact and avoid the problem of overrun, even when the machine is operated at high speeds.

It is an object of this invention to provide a bowforming machine meeting the criteria outlined above.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved bow-forming machine for rapid, efficient, high volume production of finished decorative bows.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved multi-position bow-forming machine in which formation of the individual loops of a bow is carried out at a plurality of work positions.

It is another object of this invention to provide an integrated drive arrangement for a bow-forming machine in which formation of the individual loops of a bow is carried out at a plurality of work positions.

It is another object of this invention to provide a flexible bow-forming machine capable of I mechanized production of decorative bows of various designs, shapes and appearance and which is adapted for forming a multiloop bow wherein the loops may vary in appearance. 7

It is another object of this invention to provide improved drive means for a multi-loop-bow-forming machine.

It is another object of this invention to provide improved drive means in a bow-forming machine whereby the rotation of a rotatable loop support may be positively controlled, and more particularly to provide such an improvement in drives for automatically obtaining different degrees of rotation of the rotatable support.

In carrying out this invention in, one illustrative form, a bow-forming machine having a plurality of rotatable spindles mounted on a rotatably movable turret is provided with two (first and second) intermittent movement feed means. The two feed means are disposed adjacent and in the same relative positions with respect to spindles in two spindle positions. Suitable drive apparatus imparts .an intermittent rotary motion to the turret to move the spindles successively to the various positions, and to positively engage and rotate the spindles and to operate the feed means to form loops of ribbon on the spindles in the first and second positions. The drive apparatus may also be adapted to rotate a spindle in the first position one full revolution after the formation of the last loop on a spindle in said first position, subsequent to operation of a cutter in the first position to sever the ribbon, and prior to movement of that spindle to said second position. Cooperative retaining means is provided for retaining the loops of ribbon on the spindles during the loop forming operation and during movement of the loop-[bearing spindles from position to position. Securing means is provided for securing the collected ribbon loops into a bow and a discharge device is provided adjacent one spindle position for discharging the formed bows from the machine. Ribbon of different colors, the same color, or of different textures, widths, or designs, or the like, may be supplied to each of the two ribbon feed means for forming the respective loops of a bow at the feed positions.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should now be had to the examples illustrated in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a bow-forming machine employing the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the strip material manipulating mechanism and bow discharge apparatus of the machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating generally the mechanism at the two ribbon feed positions of the machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another enlarged perspective view of the mechanism at one of the ribbon feed positions;

FIG. 5 is another enlarged perspective view of the mechanism at the other of the ribbon feed positions;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view, partially schematic, illustrating a drive arrangement ifOl' the rotatable spindles of the machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of part of the drive apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of part of the drive apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view, partially schematic, illustrating a spindle clutch operating and spindledrive lock-out mechanism for the machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view, partially schematic, illustrating an actuating mecahnism forthe loop holding hands of the machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 isis an enlarged perspective view, partially schematic, illustrating a portion of a drive arrangement for the ribbon feed apparatus of the machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a broken perspective view of a ribbon feed apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a top plan View of another drive arrangement for the rotatable spindles of the machine in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 14 is a partial side elevational view taken in the direction of arrows 14--14 of FIG. 13.

Referringnow to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1; the illustrated machine includes a generally rectangular frame presenting a flat upper supporting surface 21. The various parts of this machine as hereinafter described are supported in and upon this framework generally as illustrated. A main drive shaft 22 is driven from any suitable power source such as an electric motor 23 through a speed reduction mechanism as at 24. A turret drive shaft 25 and a timing shaft 26 are driven from shaft 22 through a suitable roller chain drive system as illustrated. Power for driving these and various other shafts, pulleys, gears and the like to be described below may also be dreived from separate power sources, or from the main drive shaft 22 through other power transmission means, due regard being had for maintaining cooperative timed relationships between the various operative mechanisms.

Fixed mounting shafts 27 and 28 are positioned adjacent shaft 22 as shown. Also supported on frame 20, above top support surface 21, is the strip material manipulating bow-forming mechanism indicated generally at 30, together with a bow securing mechanism 31, a bow discharge mechanism 32, and ribbon supply apparatus 34 and 35.

Bow-forming apparatus With continuing reference to FIG. 1, but referring more specifically to FIGS. 2-5, the strip material manipulating bow-forming apparatus includes a rotatably mounted turret 36, a first ribbon feed mechanism 37, a second ribbon feed mechanism 38, and ribbon collecting means comprising a plurality of rotatable spindles 39 mounted on turret 36, loop retaining hands 40, and rotatable presser spindles 41 and 42. In the illustrated machine four spindles 39 are mounted on four arms 36a .of the spider of turret 36. A four-position Geneva Cross drive arrangement is utilized to intermittently rotate the turret to move the four spindles through the four working positions utilized in this machine. With reference to FIG. 2,these four positions will be arbitrarily designed hereinafter as positions I, II, III and IV starting at the right-hand side of FIG. 2 and moving clockwise. Positions I and II are ribbon feed :sataions, position III may be utilibzed to apply a securing device to the formed loops and position IV is a discharge station.

Any suitable drive mechanism, such as that illustrated in the aforementioned copending application, may be utilized to drive the Geneva Cross gearing to move the turret 36 in timed relation to the operations described below.

Each of the rotatable spindles 39 is provided at its lower end with a clutch plate 39a and at the upper end with a spindlehead 43. Each spindlehead 43 may be provided with a concave upper surface to serve as an anvil for the application of securing devices, such as staples, to ribbon on the spindlehead and may .also be provided with a friction stu'face or shoulder such as an O-ring surrounding the concave upper surface to grip ribbon applied against this surface.

The turret 36 also includes four arms 36]), each interposed between an adjacent pair of arms 36a. Each arm 36b supports a vertically reciprocable and rotatably mounted shaft 44, and a companion fixed shaft 45.- The retaining hands are secured to shafts 44. Shafts 45 each carry a crosshead 46 which receives the upper end of the respective shaft 44. A compression spring 47 is confined between each crosshead 46'and a collar 48 fixed to the respective shaft 44 tourge the shaft 44 to a lower position and thereby to urge the respective hand 40 downwardly. Another collar 49 is fixed to each shaft 44 and includes a protruding pin 49a to which is connected a tension spring 50 secured at its other end to an opposite arm of the turret thereby urging, each of the shafts 44, and the respective hand 40, in a counterclockwise direction .of movement (as viewed from above). Springs 47 and 50 thus normally urge [hands 40 to a position above and in engagement with the respective spindlehead 43, as more specifically explained and illustrated in the aforementioned copending application. At its lower end, each shaft 44 carries an operating member 51 to be engaged by the drive apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9, and which will be later described, for driving shaft 44 to move hand 40 away from spindlehead-43 in the proper timed relation.

Each hand 40 includes an arcuate portion 52, for engaging a peripheral segment of the upper surface ofthe respective spindlehead 43, an inwardly, forwandly and upwardly extending arcuate finger 53 which serves as a guide for receiving thereunder loops of material as the bow is formed on the respective spindlehead, and an elongated curvilinear finger 54 which extends around a substantial segment of the preipheral portion of the respective spindlehead.

The two presser spindles 41 and 42 are rotatably and reciprocably mounted in support plate 55 for reciprocating movement toward and away from spindleheads in positions I and II, respectively. Each of these presser spindles includes a presser head 56 mounted on a shaft 57 which extends upwardly through mounting'plate 55.

Each shaft 57 is provided with a pair of stops 58 at its upper end for engagement by yokes on arms 59 and 60 of the rocker assembly 61. Sprocket gears 62 'are mounted on the spindle shafts 57 and are driven by a roller chain 63 connected to driving "sprocket 64 which is rotated in a manner to be later described. Rocker assembly 61 includes the two arms 59 and .60

mounted on a pivot shaft 65, and an operating .arm 66 connected to connecting rod 67. A transverse rod 60a is connected to the two rocker arms between the pivot shaft and the spindle shafts. Tension springs are connected between the transverse rod and mounting plate 55 to bias the rocker arms and hence the presser spindle shafts to a normal downward position. Connecting rod 67 is reciprocated by a suitable drive, such as a cam and rocker arm, to reciprocate the two presser. spindles in timed relation to the operation of the remaining apparatus as will be described below. The two arms 59 and 60 are interconnected as shown and described and are thus both operated by a single operating arm 66 and related connecting rod 67. The yokes on arms 59 and 60 engage stops 58 for vertical reciprocation of shafts 57, but permit rotation of the shafts. Mounting plate 55 is suitably supported, as by a shaft housing. 68 and supports 69.

The two ribbon feed apparatus 37 and 38 illustrated at stations I and H are very similar; see FIGS. 3-5, 11 and 12. In each of these units, interrupted contact rollers 70 and 71 cooperate to feed the strip material longitudinally through a ribbon guide or bill 72 with an intermittent linear motion. Each guide 72 is preferably formed with an internal longitudinal opening to receive the ribbon, and may be in the form of a lower plate 73 having a channel in its upper surface and a top plate 74 a secured to the lower plate. Each guide 72 is removably clamped on support studs 75a and 75b by a clamping arm 750 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 76 and biased downward by a compression spring 77. Roller 70 is preferably for-med of a resilient material, such as rubber, and constitutes the drive roller. This roller is positioned with its upper surface immediately beneath the top plate 74 and is mounted on a shaft 78 which is journaled in support plate 79. At its opposite end shaft 78 carries a pulley 80 for engaging a flexible drive belt 81.

The upper roller 71 is mounted for vertical oscillation and serves as an idler-presser roller for engaging ribbon against the feed roller 70. Roller 71 is mounted on a stub shaft 82 carried by arm 83 pivotally secured to the respective lower plate 73 or supporting plate 79. A latch member 84, which is pivotally mounted on a cross arm 85, is selectively engageable with stub shaft 82. As is seen most clearly in FIGS. 11 and 12, the support plate 79 is secured to a rotatably mounted hollow shaft 86. A connecting rod 87 extends through shaft 86 and is connected at its upper end to cross arm 85. Presser roller 71 is thus connected to shaft 87 through shaft 82, cross arm 85 and latch member 84. It will be noted that a slot is provided in the guide member 72 permitting the presser roller to extend into abutting engagement with the feed roller 70.

A suitable ribbon cutting mechanism 88 is disposed between the inward end of each of the guides 72 and the position assumed by a spindlehead 43 in positions I and II. In the illustrated machine, each of these cutting mechanisms comprises a scissors type device including a pair of cutting blades 90 and 91 mounted on a support arin 92a (position I) or 92b (position II). Each lower cutting blade 90 is fixed in a position beneath the plane defined by the respective feed guide, and between the adjacent end of the feed guide and the related splndlehead 43. The upper blade 91 is pivotally mounted and 'adapted to be positioned above the feed guide plane when in an open position. Solenoids 93 and 94 are provided for closing the upper blades 91, through a suitable connecting linkage as illustrated, to cut the ribbon extending from the adjacent end of the feed guides to the spindles when the solenoids are actuated.

Securing device 31 may be a conventional stitching or stapling device for applying a two prong wire staple. A suitable stapler is one denoted as the Monitor Stitcher manufactured and sold by W. R. Pa'bich Mfg. Co. of Chicago, Illinois.

Bow discharge mechanism A suitable bow discharge means is preferably provided at position IV for removing completed bows from the turret assembly. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the illustrated discharge device 32 includes a pair of bent rod fingers 95 and 96 mounted on shaft 97. Shaft 97 is rotatively oscillated in appropriate timed sequence to remove completed bows from a spindlehead 43 in position IV. Shaft 97 may be driven by apparatus such as is disclosed in the aforementioned copending application and is normally operated to position arms 95 and 96 with the inner ends beneath the level of spindleheads 43 before a bow-bearing spindlehead is moved into position IV. After the spindlehead is moved into position IV, the respective hand 40 is raised and swung to an out of the way position as illustrated in FIG. 2. Shaft 97 is then actuated to raise the inner ends of the arms thereby lifting a completed bow from the top of the spindlehead and permitting the bow to slide off of the arms (to the right as seen in FIG. 1) to a suitable receptacle (not shown).

Strip material supply arrangement Suitable strip material or ribbon supply assemblies are provided adjacent each of the feed assemblies 37 and 38 for supplying ribbon. With reference to the assembly 34 as illustrated in FIG. 1, each of these assemblies comprises a generally rectangular housing for containing and mounting a supply roll 101 and providing a reservoir 102 for receiving a loose supply of ribbon which has been unreeled from the supply roll. The ribbon is unreeled from the supply roll and deposited in loose folds in the reservoir 102 by a suitable apparatus such as a pair of opposed driven rollers 102a. This creates a reservoir of loose ribbon available to each of the feed mechanisms. In brief, decorative bows may be formed with the aforedescribed mechanism as follows: Ribbon is fed through each of the two ribbon feed assemblies to a spindlehead in the adjacent position. Presser rollers 71 are reciprocated into and out of engagement with feed rollers 70 to cause intermittent linear feed of the ribbon through the feed guides. Presser spindles 41 and 42 are reciprocated to clamp the successive lengths of ribbon between the opposing spindleheads 43 and 56 while spindles 39 and the opposing presser spindles are rotated between applications of successive lengths of ribbon to twist each length into a conoidal loop. Hands 40 are moved into and out of clamping relation with the respective spindleheads 43 to retain previously formed loops as spindles 41 and 42 are moved upwardly to permit the application of a succeeding length of ribbon to form a new loop. In the presently preferred operation, a first group of loops are formed on a spindlehead 43 in position I and the turret is then rotated to move those loops to position II where a second group of loops are formed atop the first group. Thus, a complete bow is formed partially at position I and partially at position II. The next movement of the turret moves the formed bow to position 111 whereupon a suitable fastening device, such as a two-prong staple, is applied. The next movement of the turret moves the completed bow to position IV for dis-charge. The cutting mechanisms are suitably operated prior to each movement of the turret to cut the length of ribbon then extending between the respective ribbon guide and the spindleheads in positions I and II.

Drive apparatus Mechanical apparatus for obtaining the preferred motions of certain of the basic portions of the strip material manipulating mechannsm will be described below with particular reference to FIGS. 6-14. Other drive elements, such as a cam and follower arrangement suitable for reciprocating rod 67 to raise and lower presser spindles 41 and 42, are more specifically illustrated and described in the aforementioned copending application.

The desired rotation of the spindle shafts 39 and presser spindles 41 and 42 may preferably be obtained with the drive apparatus illustrated somewhat schematically in FIGS. 68. In this arrangement, a drive sprocket gear 104 is connected to sprockets 105 by a suitable roller chain 106. Sprockets 105 are mounted on shafts 107 on which are carried clutch plates 108 positioned and adapted to engage clutch plates 39a on spindle shafts 39 (see FIGS. 3-5). When clutch plates 108 are engaged with adjacent clutch plates 39a, rotation of sprocket 104 causes rotation of the spindles 39 in positions I and II. Drive sprocket 104 is also drive connected to sprocket 64 through a shaft 103 in housing 68 whereby rotation of sprocket 104 causes rotation of sprocket 64 and thus, through chain 63 and sprockets 62, causes cooperative rotation of presser sepindles 41 and 42.

In the illustrated arrangement, the drive gear 104 is mounted beneath the support surface 21 and is provided With a plurality of openings 109 extending through its underside. These openings are equally spaced about the peripheral edge of the gear as shown. A stub shaft 110 protrudes axially of and below the gear 104 and rotatably and reciprocably receives hollow shaft portion 111 of a drive arm 112. The arm 112 is provided with a pin 113 adjacent its outward end for engaging the openings in gear 104. Arm 112 is fixed to a rotatably and reciprocably mounted shaft 114.

Drive apparatusfor rotatively oscillating shaft 114 includes: cams 115 and 116 mounted on shaft 22, cam follower arms 117 and 118 pivotally mounted on shaft 27 and each bearing a follower for engagement with cams 115 and 116, respectively, a latch arrangement including bell crank 119 and crank 120 for selectively engaging follower arm 117 with a drive arm 121 also pivotally mounted on shaft 27, an abutment roller 122 supported on follower arm 118 (FIG. 7) for engagement with drive arm 121, and connecting rod 123 connected to arm 121 and to an arm 124 fixed to shaft 114. A tension spring 125 normally biases arm 121 toward the right (FIG. 6). The normal position of this drive apparatus is as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, that is, with the end 119a of crank arm 119 in engagement with an abutment stud 117a on arm 117. As bell crank 119 is fixed to arm 121, oscillation of follower arm 117 by cam 115 will thus normally result in oscillation of arm 121, and, through connecting rods 123 and arm 124, will cause rotary oscillation of shaft 114 and arm 112.

Appropriate movement of latch member 120, which may be actuated through a connecting rod, timing cam and follower in a conventional manner, causes disengagement of members 117a and 119a, thereby permitting arm 121 to abut against abutment roller 122 of follower arm 118 under the influence of tension spring 125. In this position, cam 116 drives arm 121 through follower arm 118. Cam 116 is of a somewhat different configuration than cam 115 and provides a greater degree of rotary oscillation of arm 1'21, and hence of arms 124 and 112 than is obtained from cam 115. Cam 116 does not urge arm 121 further to the left (as viewed in FIG. 6) than does cam 115, the different degree of movement being obtained by cam 116 and arm 118 permitting arm 121 to move further to the right (FIG. 6) under the influence of spring 125.

Timed vertical reciprocation of arm 112, to effect en gagement and disengagement of pin 113 with openings 109 at the respective ends of the rotary oscillations of arm 112, is obtained through the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 8. Here, cam 126 is mounted on and rotates with shaft 22. An abutment roller 127 mounted on rocker arm 128 engages cam 126 and causes rotary oscillation of arm 128 about shaft 27 in response to rotation of the cam. Tension spring 129 engages pin 130 on arm 128, urging roller 127 against cam 126. A connecting arm 1-31 mounted on pin 130 is connected to shaft 114 through a suitable collar and stop arrangement, indicated at 132, which permits rotation of shaft 114. The vertical reciprocation of arm 131 obtained through the influence of cam 126 and spring 129 is thus transmitted to arm 112 and pin 113. Cam 126 is so designed and positioned on shaft 22 with respect to cams 115 and 116 as to cause upward movement of arm 112 at one end of the oscillations imparted to this arm by the respective cams 115 and 116 and downward movement at the other end. A drive arrangement is thus obtained whereby pin 113 is moved into engagement with gear 104 while both are stationary (no angular velocity). Pin 113 is then driven through a predetermined arc by cam 115 or cam 116 to cause a predetermined amount of rotation of gear 104. The gear 104 is then brought to a full stop, while in engagement with piu 11'3, whereupon pin 113 is discycle of movement.

engaged by a downward movement of arm 112. The pin is then returned to the starting position for another Cams and 116 maybe de signed to provide diiferent desired degrees of rotation and for one desirable bow-form are of such a design that cam 115 will move arm 112 through an appropriate arc of movement to obtain approximately 225 of rotation of the various spindles while cam 116 is adapted to provide an arc of movement of arm 112 which will provide one -full rotation of the spindle shafts. The drive from gear 104 to the spindles is so designed that the angular movement of gear 104 required for both degrees of spindle rotation is an even multiple of the angular spacing of holes 109 whereby alignment of pin 113 with the holes 109 is assured for each engagement.

FIG. 9 illustrates a mechanism for reciprocating the clutch plates 108 into engagement with plates 39a and also for locking the spindle rotary drive in inoperative position. Shafts 107 which support clutch plates 108 are rotatably and reciprocably mounted as previously indi-. cated. Each of these shafts is provided at its lower end with an abutment plate 134. A rocker arm 136 is secured to a rocker shaft 135 adjacent each of plates. 134 and extends beneath the respective plate. Arms 136 are provided at their distal ends with adjustable abutment members 137 which extend into abutting relation with plates 134 as illustrated. through a sufficient arc to urge clutch plates 108 upward into driving contact with plates 39a during the loop formation operations of the machine and, conversely, to lower the clutch plates slightly to permit movement of the turret, spindles and related clutch plates 39a from position to position may include a depending arm 138,

a connecting arm 139, a bell crank 140, a second connecting arm 141, a follower arm 142, a tension spring 147 and a cam 143 mounted on a timing shaft as illustrated.

As the turret cycling period, i.e., the time for movement of the spindles from station to station, is the period.

during which clutches 108 must be disengaged and is also the period during which no rotation of the spindles is.

necessary, the timing apparatus 139-143 may be utilized to lock the spindle rotary drive in inoperative position if desired. A suitable lockout arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 9 wherein a third connecting arm 144 is operatively connected with connecting rod 139 and carrie at its distal end a stop 145 for abutting a stop-collar 146 secured to shaft 114. When the follower on follower arm 142 is disposed over the dwell portion of cam 143, connecting rods 139 and 144 will move to the right (FIG. 9) under the influence of spring 147 to thereby lower clutch plates 108 and to move stop 145 into abutting position with collar 146 to lock arm 112 in its lower or disengaged position against the force of spring 129 (FIG. 8).

FIG. 10 illustrates a drive arrangement for reciprocating and rotatively oscillating the loop-retaining hands 40. In the illustrated arrangement drive plates 150 are positioned to abut the lower surface of drive members 51 in positions I and II and are provided with an extension adapted to abut a protuberance 151 extending downward from each of drive members 51 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Drive members 150 are mounted on shafts ,152 and 153 which are in turn rotatably mounted on a yoke .154.

Shaft 152 includes an extension below yoke 154 to which is mounted an operating arm 155. Each of shafts 152 and 153 also carries a rotary oscillating drive arm 156 above yoke 154, the latter arms being connected by a connecting rod 156a. Arm is rotatively oscillated by cam 157, follower arm 158, connecting rod 159 and tension spring 160. Rotary oscillation of arm 155 results in rotary oscillation of both operating members 150 through the mechanism just described.

Timed vertical oscillation of yoke 154, shafts 152 and 153, and thus operating members 150 is effected through a cam 161, follower arm 161a, tension spring 1611) and connecting rod 1610. As shaft 22 rotates, earn 161 ver- Provision for oscillating shaft 135 i 9 tically reciprocates the operating members 150 to raise hands 40 from, or to permit them return to a seated position on spindleheads 43 while cam 157 causes rotary oscillation of hands 40 to move them to and from a clamping position over the spindleheads in positions I and II.

An arrangement similar to that illustrated in FIG. but including a single operating member and a cam designed to provide a greater degree of rotary oscillation may be utilized to move the hands 40 to an out-of-theway position during discharge of formed bows at position 1V.

FIG. 11 illustrates one suitable arrangement for reciprocating the shafts 87 to move each of the presser rollers 71 into and out of ribbon feeding engagement with feed rollers 70. A cam 162, mounted on shaft 22, engages a follower 163 on bell crank 164. Connecting rods 165 and 166 together with bell crank 167, arm 168 and tension spring 169 transpose the oscillatory motion imparted to bell crank 164 by cam 162 and spring 169 into vertical reciprocatory motion of shaft 87. A sector cam 170 mounted on a timing shaft, such as shaft 26, periodically engages a further follower 171 on bell crank 164 to lock shaft 87 and roller 71 in an upper or nonengaging position during the portions of the bow-forming cycle wherein loops are not being formed at the respective station. An arrangement such as is illustrated in FIG. 11 is provided for each of the two feed assemblies 37 and 38.

The ribbon feed assemblies 37 and 38 are each oscillated to move the free end of the ribbon feed guides 72 transversely of a spindlehead in the respective position. This motion may be obtained by providing an operating arm on hollow shaft 86 and providing a cam, follower arm and connecting rod arrangement (not shown) similar to that illustrated at 157, 158, 159 in FIG. 10. Such a drive arrangement is illustrated and described in greater detail in the aforementioned copending application.

The drive for flexible belts 81 may be derived from shaft 22 through a suitable drive linkage to shafts 172 and 173, as illustrated in FIG. 1. A flexible drive, such as drive belts 81, is particularly advantageous for driving the feed rollers 70 as this readily permits rotary oscillation of the feed assemblies while maintaining the power connection to the feed rollers.

An alternative intermittent movement spindle shaft drive transmission apparatus is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. In this transmission, power is supplied to sprocket 175 through a suitable drive train (not shown) from drive shaft 22. Sprocket 175 is constantly rotated. Shaft 176 is reciprocally connected to sprocket 175 by a slidable spline connection whereby vertical reciprocation of the shaft may be obtained through operation of the bell crank 177 which engages collars 178 fixed to the shaft. Two Geneva wheel gears 179 and 180 are mounted to be engaged by drive arms 181 and 182, respectively, mounted on shaft 176. Drive arm 181 is positioned to engage Geneva wheel 179 when shaft 176 is in an upper position and drive arm 182 is positioned to engage Geneva wheel 180 when shaft 176 is in a lower position, the respective drive arms being disengaged from the respective wheels when shaft 176 is in the opposite position. Geneva wheel 179 is drive connected to one side of a differential 183 through spur gears 184 and 185 as illustrated. Geneva Wheel 180 is connected to differential 183 through spur gears 186 and 187 as illustrated. The two Geneva wheels are mounted for independent rotation. The output of differential 183 drives bevel gears 188 and 189 and spur gear 190 which, in turn, is drive connected to gear 104 through a suitable drive train, not shown. Differential 183 is also connected to the depending shaft 191 on which is mounted a suitable brake apparatus 192 to overcome the effects of any lost motion in this transmission.

The drive ratios of the two gear trains from the two Geneva wheels are designed to provide two different pre- 10 determined degrees of rotation of gear 104 and thereby provide for different preselected degrees of rotation of the spindle shafts.

Crank arm 177 is operated through a suitable connecting rod 193 and a conventional timing cam drive arrangement (not shown) to position the shaft 176 and drive arms 181 and 182 in the desired positions in the proper time relation with the operation of the remainder of the bow-tying mechanism. Drive arms 181 and 182 may be so spaced, with respect to Geneva wheels 179 and 180, that a neutral position is provided within the range of movement of shaft 176 wherein neither arm 181 or 182 is in engagement with the respective Geneva wheel. This neutral position may be utilized, by appropriate positioning of bell crank 177, to prevent rotation of gear 104 during movement of the turret from one position to another.

Operation A bow-forming operation for preparing bows having a closed center loop and a group of conoidal loops, such as those discussed in the aforementioned copending application, will be described following the various steps carried out in the different positions and with reference to the illustrated drive apparatus. It is assumed that the drive arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 is being utilized and that strip materials of appropriate widths, types and colors have already been threaded through the ribbon feed assemblies.

Considering first the operations at position I, as the turret is rotated to bring a new spindle into position I cam will have engaged follower 171 on crank arm 164 to lock the presser roller 71 in a non-feeding position. Disengagement of cam 170 from follower 171 preferably occurs while cam 162 is in the middle of what normally would be its ribbon feed cycle whereby only a short length of ribbon is fed through guide 72 during the completion of this cycle to start the first loop of a new bow. This short length of ribbon is extended over the respective hand 40 and into ribbon gripping position atop the spindlehead in position I while the presser spindle 41 is retracted. The presser roller is then raised by cam 162 to stop the ribbon feed. The presser spindle descends and grips the ribbon end against head 43, whereupon the respective hand 40 is retracted by cam 161 and spring 160. Simultaneously, feed roller 70 is being constantly driven and presser roller is again lowered against the ribbon over roller 70 by cam 162 to thereby feed another length of ribbon through guide 72. Bell crank 119 is disengaged from stop 117a whereupon cam 116 is operative to cause one full revolution of the spindles during the first full feed cycle of the ribbon feeding rollers. Cams 157 and 161 now release the hand 40 for movement by springs 47 and 50 to ribbon clamping position atop the spindle. The presser spindle 41 is now retracted and guide 72 is oscillated from right to left (FIG. 5) to bring the newly extended portion of the ribbon over spindlehead 43. As a result a full 360 or closed loop is formed on the spindle head in position I. Bell crank 119 is then permitted to re-engage stop 117a. During succeeding feed cycles roller 71 engages the ribbon against roller 70 to feed a predetermined length of ribbon and cam 115 drives the spindles, unidirectionally, through a preselected arc of rotation. The latter arc may be somewhat greater than but less than 360 and preferably is about 225 for a conoidal-loop bow. During the formation of each of these loops, the presser spindle engages the ribbon on the spindlehead 43 during the period of rotation, then the respective hand 40 moves into clamping engagement with spindlehead 43 to retain the formed loops, the presser foot rises, and the ribbon guide is then oscillated .to bring the second leg of the newly formed loop over the spindlehead and hand 40 in position I but beneath the presser foot. The presser foot then descends to clamp the new loop as well as the previ- 1.1 ously formed loops on the spindlehead. Successive loops are thus formed upon the spindlehead in position I.

Subsequent to formation of a suitable number of loops at position I, such as approximately one-half of the number of loops desired in a completed how, the ribbon feeding action is halted by the cam 170 for feed assembly 37 engaging the corresponding follower 171. Solenoid 93 is then actuated, as by'a cam operated switch, to operate the cutting mechanism at position I and cut the ribbon between the adjacent feed guide 72 and the spindlehead in position I. It will be appreciated that at this time the tail of cut ribbon attached to the previously formed loops extends above finger 54 of the respective hand 40. Bell-crank 119 is now disengaged from stop 117a whereby cam 116 is operative to rotate the spindles through a full 360 rotation. This full revolution of the spindles, in conjunction with the normal motions of the presser spindles 41 and 42 and the respective hands 40, brings the ribbon tail under the respective hand 40 and maintains the proper relative position of the formed loops with respect to additional loops to be formed at position H.

Timing cam 143 and spring 142 new lower clutch plates 108 and extend lock member 145 to disengage the drive to the spindles 39 and to lock the feed apparatus in inoperative position, whereupon the turret is cycled to move the spindle previously in position I to position II. Hand 40 retains the loops in position during this movement of the turret.

Next, clutch plates 108 are reengaged with the respective clutch plates 39a and stop 145 is withdrawn by cam 143. Latch 117a-119a remains disegaged. At about this same time, cam 170 disengages follower 171 in the feed assembly 37 whereby the first end of the ribbon at position I is extended as above described to begin another bow at position I. Cam 116 now drives the respective spindles through a full 360 rotation to form the closed loop of the new bow being started at position I. This 360 rotation, prior to formation of additional loops at position II, also maintains the proper relative position of the loops on the spindle at position II, i.e., with the last tail extendiing toward the guide 72. Next the cam 170 for feedv assembly 38 disengages from the corresponding follower 171 whereby the free end of the ribbon at position II is extended to be disposed between presser spindle 42 and the previously formed loops on the respective spindlehead 43. It will be appreciated that this newly extended end is superimposed on the tail of the last formed loop whereby the symmetry of disposition of the loops formed at the two positions is maintained. Thereafter, the latch 117a-119a is re-engaged and successive conoidal loops are formed at both positions I and II as previously described for position I.

The feeding operation at position II may be stopped previous to or simultaneously with the stopping of feeding operations at position I by varying the angular extent of the respective cam 170, according to the number of loops which it is desired to form at position II. In either event subsequent operation of the spindles and hand at position II, during completion of the steps described at position I, results in the tail at position II being brought under the respective hand 40 and placed fiat on the spindlehead prior to the next movement of the turret. Solenoid 94 is actuated at the time that feeding is halted at position II in order to cut the ribbon at position II prior to further spindle rotations.

The next cycling of the turret moves the formed bow at position II to position III whereupon a permanent securing device may be applied, as by stapling mechanism 31. It will be appreciated that one or more automatically operated accessory mechanisms may be provided at position HI to lay a length of tie string or other how mounting means over the accumulated loops prior to insertion of the staple. Less desirably, such mounting means may be hand-inserted by the operator. Application of the staple will then simultaneously secure the mounting 12 or tying means to the loops and secure the loops to one another to form a bow.

The next succeeding cycling of the turret'carries the completed bow to position IV for discharge.

The operation of the illustrated machine with the spindle drive mechanism of FIGS. 13 and 14 is substantially the same as described above except that the changes between degrees of rotation, or stopping of the feed mechanism, is effected by shifting shaft 176 and drive arms 181 and 182, through bell-crank 177, instead of shifting latch member 119 and stop 145.

In the formation of bows of the type referred to above, the loops, except the center loop, are normally formed by rotating the spindles approximately 225 for each loop. This results in a symmetrical disposition of successive conoidal loops about the axis of the bow, presenting a pleasing appearance. It is important that this symmetrical disposition be maintained between the loops formed at position I and those formed at position II to provide a most pleasing bow. Accordingly, the various spindle rotations effected between the formation of the last loop at position I and the first loop at position II should bring the tail into alignment with the ribbon feed guide at position II. In the illustrated machine this is accom plished by insuring that the intervening rotary movements of the spindles, relative to the turret, equal some multiple of 360. The loops formed at position II are thus placed in the same relative position as if they had been formed by a continuation of the operation at position I.

The peripheral speed of feed roller 70 and the period of engagement therewith of presser roller 71 determine the length of ribbon extended for each loop of the bows being formed by this machine. By changing the size of roller 70, or by changing the drive ratio of the drive thereto, or by altering cams 162, the length of ribbon in each loop can be changed, and consequently the size of the loop formed at positions I or II can be readily varied. Further, the degree of rotation of the spindles for the first or the latter loops may be varied, and ribbons of various types, textures, colors, compositions, and widths can be fed through the two feed assemblies and combined in a single bow. It will be appreciated that as a result a wide variety of bows of difiering designs, and appearance, may be readily produced without significant alterations of the machine.

By forming part of the loops of each bow at one station and the remaining loops at a second station, the most time consuming portion of the bow-forming operation is divided between two work stations, thus reducing the net time for forming a single bow and making more efficient utilization of the loop securing and discharge apparatus. A high volume output machine is thus provided.

The two rotary spindle drive arrangements disclosed herein also contribute to high volume production as they permit high speed operation of the machine. Both of these drive apparatuses utilize a constant speed rotary power source to produce the two intermittent rotary spindle motions required in the described bow-forming operation. Further, both drives are capable of high speed operation as they positively engage and drive the spindle drive train throughout each rotary movement, from zero angular velocity through the desired movement of the spindle shafts and back to rest (zero velocity). Thus any problems of overrun of the spindles at the end of each rotary movement are overcome.

The number of loops of each bow formed at position I is determined by the drive ratio between the cycle governing timing mechanism and the loop forming apparatus. In the illustrated machine this is essentially the drive ratio between drive shaft 22 and timing shaft 26, allowance being made for dead time including cycle time of the turret and turning under of the ribbon tail. The number of loops formed at position II is governed by the same timing relationship as well as by the angular extent of the cam for feed assembly 38. By varying these timing relationships the number of loops formed at each of the loop-forming positions can be conveniently varied to produce bows of different sizes and designs. One expedient for readily altering this timing relationship in the-illustrated machine is to introduce an interruptable drive connection in the timing shaft drive. Such a drive arrangement may be inserted between gear 195 (FIG. 1) and shaft 26, and may be operated and controlled through gear 196.

Other ribbon feed arrangements may be utilized in place of the interrupted contact rollers illustrated herein, such as by utilizing a reciprocating feeding bill as disclosed in the aforementioned copending application. However, the interrupted contact roller feed arrangement minimizes inertia forces and thus also contributes to high speed operation.

Other modifications of the specific embodiments illustrated may be made in light of the above teachings without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, a part or all of the guiding functions performed by the band members 40 could be performed by stationary guides, other securing means may be provided to retain the loops as they are being formed and moved from station to station, and other drive arrangements may be provided for most of the elements of the strip material manipulating bow-forming mechanism.

The terms strip material and ribbon as used herein are not intended to be restrictive phrases, but are intended to include any elongated flexible material which can be manipulated and formed in the same general manner as ribbon.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the illustrated machine embodies a combination of operative mechanisms which cooperate to obtain certain of the objects set forth herein. At the same. time, it will also be appreciated that the disclosure teaches various improved subassemblies which are in themselves new and have utility apart from their incorporation in a combination utilizing the other subassemblies taught herein. For instance the inventive concepts embodied in certain of the subassemblies may be advantageously utilized in bow-forming operation wherein other steps, such as securing the loops together 'and/ or discharging the bows, are manually perfonned or performed by other means, and the spindle drives may be readily incorporated in other machines, such as that illustrated in the aforementioned copending application.

It will thus be seen that an improved bow-forming machine has been provided which is capable of rapid, eificient, high volume production of finished decorative bows, and this end is attained in part by dividing the loop forming operation between two positions. The disclosed machine also facilitates the mechanical production of bows of various designs, shapes and appearance. Further, improved drive ararngements are provided for obtaining two degrees of rotation of the spindles and for positively controlling the spindle rotating means during the entire drive cycles. All of these objects are met in a machine which is capable of automatic high volume production of decorative bows.

' While particular embodiments of this invention are shown and described above, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made by those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings. It is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims to cover any such modification as falls within the true spirit and scope of this invention,

I claim:

1. In a machine adapted for forming bows: collecting means for receiving and retaining successively formed loops of strip material; first feed means for feeding successive lengths of strip material to said collecting means to form loops of strip material thereon; second feed means for feeding successive lengths of strip material to said collecting means to form loops of strip material thereon; and drive means for cooperatively operating said feed means and said collecting means to successively form loops of strip material on said collecting means from each of said feed means.

2. In a machine adapted for forming bows: rotatable collecting means for receiving and retaining successively formed loops of strip material; first feed means for feeding successive lengths of strip material to said collecting means while in a first position to form loops of strip material thereon; second feed means for feeding successive lengths of strip material to said collecting means while in a second position to form loops of strip material thereon; said collecting means being mounted for movement from said first position to said second position; and drive means for cooperatively operating said feed means and said collecting means to successively form loops of strip material on said collecting means in each of said positions and to periodically move said collecting means from said first position to said second position.

3. In a machine adapted for forming bows, a plurality of spindles mounted for movement to a plurality of predetermined positions, intermittent movement drive means for successively moving said spindles to said position, first feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a first of said positions, second feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a second of said positions, drive means for cooperatively operating said feed means and rotating said spindles in said first and second positions to form loops of ribbon on said spindles in said first and second positions, means for retaining loops of ribbon on said spindles as said loops are formed and as the spindles move from said first position to said second position.

4. In a machine adapted for forming bows, a rotatable turret, a plurality of spindles rotatably mounted on said turret, intermittent movement drive means for rotating said turret and thereby successively moving said spindles to a plurality of predetermined positions, first intermittent movement feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a first of said positions, second intermittent movement feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a second of said positions, drive means for cooperatively operating said feed means and rotating said spindles in said first and second positions to form loops of ribbon on said spindles in said first and second positions, and means for retaining loops on said spindles as the loops are formed and as the spindles move from said first position to said second position.

5. In a machine as in claim 3, said second feed means being in the same position relative to said spindles when in the second position as the position of said first feed means relative to said spindles when in the first position.

6. In a machine as in claim 3, and wherein said feed means each includes a pair of opposed ribbon feed rollers, one roller of each pair of rollers being a driven roller, and one roller of each pair of rollers being mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the other roller of said pair.

7. In a machine as in claim 4, and wherein said drive means for rotating said spindles is adapted to intermittently rotate said spindles when in said first and second positions and includes means for positively controlling the rotation of said spindles from start to stop thereof.

8. In a machine adapted for forming bows, a movable support, a plurality of spindles rotatably mounted on said support, intermittent movement drive means for moving said support and thereby successively moving said spindles to a plurality of predetermined positions, first intermittent movement feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a first of said positions, second intermittent movement feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a second of said positions, drive means for cooperatively operating said feed means and rotating said spindles. in said first and second positions to form loops of ribbon on said spindles in said first and second positions, means for retaining loops of ribbon on said spindles as the loops are formed and as the spindles move from said first position to said second position, ribbon supports normally positioned between said feed means and the spindles in each of said first and second positions beneath the path of movement of the ribbon from said feed means to said spindles, a ribbon cutter operative between said first feed means and the ribbon support in said first position, said drive means including means for rotating each of said spindles when in said first position one full revolution after the formation of the last loop on such spindle in said first position and prior to movement of the support to move that spindle to said second position.

9. In a machine as in claim 8 and wherein said drive means includes drive interconnecting means for simultaneously rotating said spindles in said first and second positions.

10. In a machine adapted for forming bows, a movable support, a plurality of spindles rotatably mounted on said support, itnermittent movement drive means for moving said support and thereby successively moving said spindles to a plurality of predetermined positions, first intermittent movement feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a first of said positions, second intermittent movement feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a second of said positions, drive means for cooperatively operating said feed means and rotating said spindles in said first and second positions to form loops of ribbon on said spindles in said first and second positions, a reciprocable presser foot disposed over and in axial alignment with each of said spindles when in each of said first and second positions, said drive mean-s including means for reciprocating said presser feet in unison and in cooperation with the operation of said spindles and feed means to urge portions of each successive length of ribbon against said rotatable spindles, and means for retaining loops of ribbon on said spindles as the spindles move from said first position to said second position.

11. In a machine as in claim 10 and wherein said means for retaining loops of ribbon on said spindles comprises a clamping member mounted on said movable support adjacent each of said spindles and biased to a normal position in clamping relation with the respective spindle.

12. In a machine adapted for forming bows, a plurality of spindles mounted for movement to a plurality of predetermined positions and each including a ribbon receiving surface, intermittent movement drive means for successively moving, intermittent movement drive means for successively moving said spindles to said positions, first intermittent movement feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a first of said positions, second intermittent movement feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a second of said positions, each of said feed means including a guide for directing ribbon to the respective spindle surfaces, said guide of said second feed means being in the same position relative to said spindles when insaid second position as the guide of said first feed means relative to said spindles when in said first position, a ribbon support between each of said feed means and said spindles when in the related position, said guides disposed to feed ribbon over said supports, a ribbon cutter operative between the ribbon support and the guide in each of said first and second positions, drive means for cooperatively moving said feed means and rotating said spindles in said first and second positions to form loops of ribbon on said spindles in said first and.

second positions; said drive means including means for rotating each of said spindles when in said first position one full revolution subsequent to the formation of the last loop on such spindle in said first position and subsequent to operation of the cutter to sever the ribbon, and prior to movement of that spindle to said second position; and means for retaining loops of ribbon on said spindles as said loops are formed and as the spindles move from said first position to said second position.

13. In a machine adapted for forming bows, a rotatable turret, a plurality of spindles rotatably mounted on said turret, intermittent movement drive means for rotating said turret and thereby successively moving said spindles to a plurality of predetermined positions, first intermittent movement feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a first of said positions, second intermittent movement feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to each of said spindles when in a second of said positions, drive means for cooperatively moving said feed means and rotating said spindles in said first and second positions to form loops of ribbon on said spindles in said first and second positions, a reciprocable and rotatable presser foot disposed over and in axial alignment with each of said spindles when in each of said first and second positions, said, drive means including means for reciprocating and rotating said presser feet in unison and in cooperation with the operation of said spindles and feed means to rotatably clamp portions of each length of ribbon against said rotatable spindles, a clamping member mounted on said movable support adjacent each of said spindles and biased to a normal position in clamping relation with said spindles for retaining loops of ribbon on said spindles as the spindles move from said first position to said second position, ribbon supports normally positioned between said feed means and the spindles in each of said first and second positions beneath the path of movement of the ribbon from said feed means to said spindles, ribbon cutter means operative between said first feed means and the ribbon support in said first position, and said drive means including means for rotating each of said spindles when in said first position one full revolution after the formation of the last loop on such spindle in said first position and prior to movement of the turret to move that spindle to said second position.

14. In a machine as in claim 13 and wherein said turret is movable to place said spindles in a third position, and fastening means adjacent said third position for applying a retaining device to said loops on said spindle in said third position to secure said loops together.

15. In a machine adapted for making bows as in claim 14 and wherein said turret is movable to place said,

spindles in a fourth position, and removal means for removing said secured loops from said spindles in said fourth position.

16. In a machine adapted for forming bows including rotatable means for engaging and rotating ribbon fed thereto, feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to said rotatable means to form loops of ribbon therer on, and drive means for actuating said feed means and cooperatively intermittently rotating said rotatable means during feeding of lengths of ribbon thereto by said feed means, said drive means including operating means for positively engaging said rotatable means duringeach rotary movement of said rotatable means from start to stop thereof, whereby said drive means effects rotation and positive stopping control of said rotatable means in each such rotary movement.

17. In a machine adapted for forming bows, the combination of rotatable means for engaging and rotating ribbon fed thereto, feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to said rotatable means to form loops of ribbon thereon, and drive means for actuating said feed means and cooperatively intermittently rotating said rotatable means through a predetermined angle of rotation during feeding of one length of ribbon thereto by said feed means and through a different predetermined angle of rotation during feeding of a successive length of ribbon thereto by said feed means, said drive means including operating means for positively engaging said rotatable means during each rotary movement of said rotatable means from start to stop thereof.

18. In a machine as in claim 17, and said drive means including a drive train for rotating said rotatable means, said drive train including two intermittent motion gear drives each including a driving member and a driven member, said driving members mounted for movement into and out of engagement with said driven members, a differential transmission, said driven members drive connected to said rotatable means through said differential transmission, and means for shifting said driving members into and out of engagement with said driven members.

19. In a machine as in claim 17, and said drive means including two Geneva wheel gear drives, each including driving and driven members, and a difierential gear transmission, the driven members of said Geneva drives being drive connected to said rotatable means through said difierential, the driving members of said Geneva drives mounted for movement into and out of engagement with said driven members, and means for shifting said driving members into and out of engagement with said driven members.

20. In a machine as in claim 19, and wherein the drive connection of one of said Geneva wheel drives to said rotatable means is such that one revolution of the respective driving member rotates said rotatable means one full revolution, and the drive connection of the other of said Geneva wheel drives to said rotatable means is such that one revolution of the respective driving member will rotate said rotatable means through a lesser angle of rotation.

21. In a machine adapted for forming bows, the combination of rotatable means for engaging and rotating ribbon fed thereto, feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to said rotatable means to form loops of ribbon thereon, and drive means for actuating said feed means and cooperatively intermittently rotating said rotatable means through a predetermined angle of rotation during feeding of one length of ribbon thereto by said feed means and through a different predetermined angle of rotation during feeding of a successive length of ribbon thereto by said feed means, said drive means including a drive train for rotating said rotatable means, said drive train including a rotatable drive member drive connected to said rotatable means, a driving member selectively positively engageable with said drive member and movable in an arcuate path co-axial with said drive member, means for oscillating said driving member along said path, and means for engaging and disengaging said driving member with said driven member at opposite ends of the oscillations of said driving member, whereby intermittent unidirectional rotary motion may be positively imparted to said rotatable means.

22. In a machine adapted for forming bows, the combination as in claim 21, and wherein said means for driving said driving member is adapted to drive said driving member through a preselectd arc obtaining one full revolution of said rotatable means and through another preselected arc obtaining a lesser angle of rotation of said rotatable means in predetermined sequence.

23. In a machine adapted for forming bows, the combination of rotatable means for engaging and rotating ribbon fed thereto, feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to said rotatable means to form loops of ribbon thereon, and drive means for actuating said feed means and cooperatively intermittently rotating said rotatable means through a predetermined angle of rotation during feeding of one length of ribbon thereto by said feed means and through a difierent predetermined angle of rotation during feeding of a successive length of ribbon thereto by said feed means, said drive means including a rotatable drive member drive connected to said rotatable means and provided with a plurality of openings disposed around the axis of rotation of said drive member, a driving member selectively engageable in said openings and movable in an arcuate path co-axial with said drive member, means for oscillating said driving member along said path, and means for reciprocating said driving member into and out of engagement with said openings at opposite ends of the oscillations of said driving member, whereby intermittent unidirectional rotary motion may be positively imparted to said rotatable means.

24. In a machine as in claim 23, and wherein said means for oscillating said driving member includes two cams selectively drive connectable to said driving member, one of said cams being adapted to drive said driving member through a preselected arc obtaining one full revolution of said rotatable means, and the other of said cams being adapted to drive said driving member through another preselected arc obtaining a lesser angle of rotation of said rotatable means.

25. In a machine adapted for forming bows as in claim 1, said collecting means being rotatable and cooperating with said feed means for forming such loops of strip material.

26. In a machine as in claim 16, said operating means comprising a Geneva wheel gear drive for effecting such positive engagement and intermittent rotation of said rotatable means.

27. In a machine as in claim 16 and wherein said operating means comprises a rotatable drive member drive connected to said rotatable means and provided with a plurality of openings disposed around the axis of rotation of said drive member, a driving member selectively engageable in said openings and movable in an arcuate path co-axial with said drive member, means for oscillating said driving member along said path, and means for reciprocating said driving member into and out of engagement with said openings at opposite ends of the oscillations of said driving member for effecting such positive engagement and intermittent rotation of said rotatable means.

28. In a machine adapted for forming bows including rotatable means for engaging and rotating ribbon fed thereto, feed means for feeding successive lengths of ribbon to said rotatable means and drive means for actuating said feed means and cooperatively intermittently rotat- [fing said rotatable means, said drive means comprising a rotary power source, operating means in drive engagement with said rotary power source, and means for intermittently and positively engaging said operating means with said rotatable means for effecting such intermittent rotary movement of said rotatable means, whereby said drive means effects rotation and positive stopping control of said rotatable means in each such rotary movement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,884,169 4/ 1959 Sperry 22346 2,933,223 4/ 1960 Kravig et al 223-46 2,982,452 5/1961 Anderson 22346 FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

THOMAS I. HICKEY, Examiner.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, P. GARDNER, G. V. LARKIN,

Assistant Examiners.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,229,869 January 18', 1966 Josephus J. Thayer It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, line 15, for "mecahnism" read mechanism line 17, strike out "is", second occurrence; line 38, for "dreived" read derived line 68, for "sataions" read stations line 69, for "utilibzed" read utilized column 4, line 42, for "preipheral" read peripheral column 6, line 53, for "mechannsm" read mechanism line 75, for "sepindles" read spindles column 10, line 59, for "spindle head" read spindlehead column 11, line 31, for "disegaged" read disengaged column 13, line 55, for "ararngements" read arrangements column 14, lines 24 and 25, for "position" read positions column 15, line 26, for "itnermittent" read intermittent lines 56 and 57, strike out "intermittent movement drive means for successively moving,"; column 18, before line 64, insert 2,872,086 2/1959 Duncan- 223-46 after line 64 insert 2 ,909,308 10/1959 Darata----223-46 Signed and sealed this 27th day of December 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN A MACHINE ADAPTED FOR FORMING BOWS; COLLECTING MEANS FOR RECEIVING AND RETAINING SUCCESSIVELY FORMED LOOPS OF STRIP MATERIAL; FIRST FEED MEANS FOR FEEDING SUCCESSIVE LENGTHS OF STRIP MATERIAL TO SAID COLLECTING MEANS TO FORM LOOPS OF STRIP MATERIAL THEREON; SECOND FEED MEANS FOR FEEDING SUCCESSIVE LENGTHS OF STRIP MATERIAL TO SAID COLLECTING MEANS TO FORM LOOPS OF STRIP MATERIAL THEREON; AND DRIVE MEANS FOR COOPERATIVELY OPERATING SAID FEED MEANS AND SAID COLLECTING MEANS TO SUCCESSIVELY FORM LOOPS OF STRIP MATERIAL ON SAID COLLECTING MEANS FROM EACH OF SAID FEED MEANS. 